Sikles occupies a unique position in Nepal's trekking landscape: it is the largest and oldest Gurung village in the country, home to over 500 households with a recorded history stretching back centuries, and yet almost no trekkers come here. The route from Begnas Lake — Pokhara's quieter eastern sibling — passes through forests that see a fraction of the foot traffic of the Poon Hill or ABC trails, and the approach through the Mardi Khola valley opens into a setting of genuine rural grandeur.
The Gurung people of Sikles maintain one of the most intact traditional cultures in Nepal's hill districts. The village architecture — round stone houses with carved wooden windows and flat roofs — differs from most teahouse-circuit villages, which have been modernised by tourism income. Here, the terraced fields of millet, buckwheat, and maize are worked with traditional tools, water buffalo graze on the village periphery, and the community meets under the pipal tree in the central square as it has for generations. The Gurung have a proud military heritage — many are serving or retired Gurkha soldiers — and a sophisticated cosmological tradition expressed in elaborate spring and winter festivals.
The trek delivers mountain scenery to match the cultural experience. The Tasha Viewpoint above Sikles at 2,100m frames Annapurna II, Lamjung Himal, Machhapuchhre, and Mardi Himal in a panorama that rewards the easy half-day hike. The forest trails between Kalikasthan and Sikles are genuinely pristine — bamboo groves, rhododendron forest, and the sound of the river below. For photographers, cultural enthusiasts, and anyone seeking quiet trails near Pokhara, Sikles is an undiscovered gem.
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Born in Namche Bazaar, Pemba has summited Everest 8 times and has been guiding treks for 20 years.
“Your experienced guide ensures a safe and memorable journey”
Highlights
Visit Sikles — Nepal's largest and oldest Gurung settlement with 500+ households
Panoramic views of Annapurna II, Lamjung Himal, Machhapuchhre, and Mardi Himal
Walk through pristine forests rarely visited by tourists
Cross the Mardi Khola river on a traditional suspension bridge
Experience authentic Gurung culture, architecture, and hospitality
What Trekkers Say
ER
“As a solo female traveler, I felt completely safe the entire time.”
Emma Richardson · Annapurna Circuit, 2024
S&
“The attention to detail was incredible. From the airport pickup to the extra acclimatization day they insisted on (which saved our trip!), everything was perfect.”
Sarah & Tom Jenkins · Everest Base Camp
ER
“As a solo female traveler, I felt completely safe the entire time. Our guide Pemba was incredibly knowledgeable and the porters were treated with respect and dignity.”
Emma Richardson · Annapurna Circuit
Who Is This Trek For?
A cultural immersion trek for travellers who want authentic village life over mountain summits. Sikles offers deep Gurung heritage, stunning mountain backdrops, and almost zero tourist traffic. Perfect for photographers, cultural enthusiasts, and those seeking quiet trails near Pokhara.
😟Before
“I'd never trekked at altitude before and was nervous about the steep trails...”
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🎉After
“Watching sunrise over the Annapurna range from base camp was the most magical moment of my life.”
James K., ABC Trek 2025·Sikles Trek
Best Time to Trek Sikles
Spring
Rhododendron forests between Kalikasthan and Sikles bloom March-April. The Gurung village is vibrant with spring agricultural activity.
Autumn
October-November delivers the sharpest Annapurna views from Sikles. The harvest season adds golden colour to the terraced hillsides.
Winter
Quiet, cold but manageable. Crystal-clear mountain views. Sikles village is peaceful and smoke curls from traditional stone houses.
Difficulty & Fitness
Easy — 4-5 hours walking per day
Well-maintained trails, gradual elevation gain
No prior trekking experience needed
Easy trek suitable for most fitness levels. Daily walking is 4-6 hours on village trails and forest paths. Maximum altitude of 2,100m means no altitude sickness risk. Good for first-time trekkers.
Itinerary
5 Days
Depart Pokhara by vehicle for the 45-minute drive east along the Pokhara-Kathmandu Highway to Begnas Lake (820m) — the quieter, less-touristed of Pokhara's two major lakes. Begnas has a calm, rural character: local farmers bring vegetables to the lake market in the mornings, and fishing boats drift across the surface. From the lake's eastern end, the Sikles trail begins, climbing north through farmland and forest toward the ridge village of Kalikasthan (1,370m).
The trek from Begnas to Kalikasthan covers approximately 8 km over 4-5 hours, gaining 550m through a mix of terraced farmland, secondary forest, and the first sections of the pristine forest that characterises the upper Sikles valley. The trail is quiet — you may walk for an hour without seeing another trekker, sharing the path instead with farmers carrying fodder and students walking between villages. Annapurna II begins to appear above the ridgeline ahead: a massive, permanently snow-covered peak that seems disproportionately large from this angle.
Kalikasthan is a small village with a few simple teahouses, a school, and a small temple. The evening views from the village terrace are a preview of the mountain panorama to come over the next days. Dal bhat for dinner in a family-run teahouse where the host cooks over a wood fire is the authentic introduction to Sikles-region hospitality. Ask your guide to facilitate a conversation with the teahouse family — Gurung stories about seasonal migration, Gurkha service, and village traditions are genuinely fascinating.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Depart Pokhara by vehicle for the 45-minute drive east along the Pokhara-Kathmandu Highway to Begnas Lake (820m) — the quieter, less-touristed of Pokhara's two major lakes. Begnas has a calm, rural character: local farmers bring vegetables to the lake market in the mornings, and fishing boats drift across the surface. From the lake's eastern end, the Sikles trail begins, climbing north through farmland and forest toward the ridge village of Kalikasthan (1,370m).
The trek from Begnas to Kalikasthan covers approximately 8 km over 4-5 hours, gaining 550m through a mix of terraced farmland, secondary forest, and the first sections of the pristine forest that characterises the upper Sikles valley. The trail is quiet — you may walk for an hour without seeing another trekker, sharing the path instead with farmers carrying fodder and students walking between villages. Annapurna II begins to appear above the ridgeline ahead: a massive, permanently snow-covered peak that seems disproportionately large from this angle.
Kalikasthan is a small village with a few simple teahouses, a school, and a small temple. The evening views from the village terrace are a preview of the mountain panorama to come over the next days. Dal bhat for dinner in a family-run teahouse where the host cooks over a wood fire is the authentic introduction to Sikles-region hospitality. Ask your guide to facilitate a conversation with the teahouse family — Gurung stories about seasonal migration, Gurkha service, and village traditions are genuinely fascinating.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
What's Included
Transportation from Pokhara to Begnas and return from Bhachok
All permits (ACAP)
Experienced guide
All teahouse accommodation
Three meals a day during trek
Interactive Route Map
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Frequently Asked Questions
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USD $350
per person
Or 10 monthly payments of $35
Reserve with 30% deposit ($105)
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